Wilkins captures opening victory, falls in round of 16

ORLANDO, Fla. — Caleb Wilkins finished off his 2023 men's tennis season at the NCAA Division III Individual Championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.

Wilkins won his first match in the morning in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 over Washington and Lee's Evan Erb. He then lost his round of 16 match 6-2, 6-4 at the hands of No. 1 James Hopper from Case Western, who just won the NCAA DIII team championship.

Wilkins started off his day hot, taking a 4-1 lead over Erb in his opening set. He kept that momentum going throughout the whole match only losing five total games. He won the last game to clinch the match victory without losing a point. 

Hopper proved to be too much for Wilkins, taking that match in straight sets.

Wilkins finishes the season with a 14-12 singles record, including seven big match wins over ranked opponents dating back to the ITA Championships in the fall.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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